Entertainment

World Cup Preview: Argentina Meets the Netherlands in Last Semifinal Match

Argentina's Lionel Messi punches the air after scoring Argentina's first goal during the Group F World Cup soccer match against Nigeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil on June 25, 2014.

For the Netherlands, making the finals in back-to-back World Cups remains the top priority. After already besting Spain, the 2010 World Cup champions, during the group stages, all the Dutch need to do to reclaim what was lost in 2010 is win it all 2014. You can be rest assured that is on the mind of every single Dutchman on the pitch.

For Argentina, it's all about getting Lionel Messi the title to further bolster his claim as the best soccer player in his generation (likely, ever). The team has relied on Messi's genius and unparalleled skill to get them to the semifinals, and now it seems like it's up to the rest of the team to help Messi cement his eternal glory and status as the one true demigod of soccer.

The Netherlands vs. Argentina, 4 p.m. ET

For the first time in the tournament, Messi didn't show up on the scoreboard in Argentina's quarterfinal match against Belgium on Saturday.

And for the sake of Argentina's further success in the World Cup, that's a great thing.

Messi-dependence may be well on its way out for Argentina, and there's no better time than the semifinals for other players to get confidence in their play. Messi's presence on the national team is starting to inspire others to play to the utmost of their potential. It's not by just letting them shine — though Messi is no ball-hog and loves to share the limelight just as much as he earns it with his finesse.

For instance, this is what a supportive Messi looks like, passing the ball through four Belgium players, with the perfect pace and positioning for Angel di Maria to run with. The vision and precision required to make that pass is simply extraordinary.

So it seems as though the talented players on Argentinian squad not named Messi are starting to be more confident in their ability to lead Argentina to the finals — either with that kind of legendary support from Messi or in combination with Messi's goal-scoring and playmaking ability.

Take Gonzalo Higuain, for example, and his beautiful goal in the Belgium match. This is the ball that Higuain loves; he is a poacher and knows how to score in the box.

That being said, the star of Argentina's round of 16 match against Switzerland, di Maria, will be out on Wednesday with a reported thigh injury. Look to Higuain and possibly Sergio Aguero, who was reportedly fit to play by Argentina's medical staff, to play some aggressive football.

And then of course, Argentina will always have Messi in their back pocket. No matter how you slice it, Messi is still everything to the Argentinian squad.

When Argentina is firing on all cylinders like they were against Belgium, they look much more decisive and in control of a game than they have in previous matches in the tournament. Momentum will be kind to Argentina going into this last semifinal match against the Dutch.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, have probably played some of the most convincing soccer out of all four of the remaining teams. Though their quarterfinal match against Costa Rica went to the wire, it was largely due to Costa Rica parking the bus and loading up their backfield with players to stop the Dutch attack.

Even in such a close game, the Dutch shined. Dirk Huyt and Arjen Robben were all over the field again. Wesley Sneijder proved to be devastating on the set piece —nearly scoring multiple times throughout the match.

You also have Robin van Persie, who, despite having some very sloppy finishes, put himself in some prime positions to score. The Dutch looked creative and dedicated — characteristics befitting a team that will win the whole thing.

Not only that, but the Dutch showed some tactical prowess with a cheeky substitution by head coach Louis van Gaal. Going into penalty kicks, van Gaal substituted starting goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul. It was a move that was meant to throw off the five Costa Rican players who perhaps studied Cillessen's penalty tendencies, whilst Krul secretly studied the Costa Rican strikers. It was a brilliant move that paid off wonderfully for van Gaal and the Dutch squad. Krul saved two shots (and the two he didn't save, he still guessed correctly) to win the game for the Netherlands.

In the head-to-head, you have a Dutch team willing to win at all costs with hungry performances by a myriad of players, and the Argentinians showing life just at the right time. It's consistent, strong play versus moments of brilliance. Which one will you root for?

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